Iron level/WIC vent

[smjmekg]

For those who have been anemic/are anemic...does anyone know how long it will take for iron supplements to get your numbers up? I don't know what my original count was, but I went to my WIC appointment today and they checked my iron...it was 9.5. I've been on the supplements for a week.

Small vent, lol...
SO at the WIC appointment they measured and weighed Elijah. They said he's 38 inches tall and 32 pounds. The lady told me he weighs more than he should...seriously? Look at my pics of him, the boy is almost a d@mn twig! How the   h-e-l-l does he weigh too much? He's over 95% for height for his age and over 90% for weight, but he is SKINNY! His BMI is 24%..WTH??? AND I got b*tched at about my iron and my weight...I've only gained 13ish pounds and I'm 28 weeks, I started out a little heavy, but I don't think I'm doing bad with only 13...the nurse at the drs office said 25 was about right, and she knows what I weigh...on top of that WTH am *I* supposed to do about my iron? I don't know what my levels are, didn't know to begin with, and just found out it's 9.5 today...I eat food with iron in it, I can't help it if it's low! UGH! Stupid WIC lady!!!

[lisax4156]

Wic is annoying especially when you're pregnant. They told me my iron levels were low and they aren't. I told my dr about it the next day when i saw her. She said they always say you're anemic even if you aren't.

Then, the nutritionist got all worried as I hadn't gained any weight during pregnancy. In fact, I lost almost 20 lbs because the pregnancy made me sick throughout it. I was high risk anyhow and having u/s every 5 weeks, so my dr wasn't worried as the baby was measuring a week ahead.

Wic is stupid and so are the people who work there. But whatever.. the free food is good especially formula. That stuff is expensive and you go through so much of that a month.

Then, after I had my son, they told me I couldn't add him for 6 weeks after his birth.. I'm like WTF???? I'm not BFing. I couldn't but they won't add him for formula? Now that pissed me off and made me want to cry. I don't remember Wic doing that with my other son. I remember going down there a few days after his birth and them adding me.

Whatever.. wic is stupid and retarded and they don't knwo what they're doing. I'm only going through them for the free food and formula so I have to deal with their stupidity :)

Lisa

[nithuvish]

I dont know exactly , but when i did my blood test, i was said, i'm lagging in iron content. They also said, if the below listed items are less than the normal , then it is said we r anemic.
Hemoglobin : 11.7 to 15.5 g/dl
Hematocrit : 35.0 to 45.0 %
MCV : 80 to 100 fL
MCH : 27 to 33 pg
RDW : 11 to 15%

I think, all these are related to iron content in our body. If all these fall into their range, then iron is normal.

[5n1]

I was gonna add...if you dont think they will kick you off the program, next time she harps on you for weight...Ask her how much she weighs and what her BMI is lol

[5n1]

I was anemic with this last pregnancy, and I started taking supplements, and by my next appt my iron level was up!! So, I would say maybe, maybe a month...And as far as the weight dont worry about it...Heck my DS is 4 and weighs 47lbs and is almost 4 feet tall...And while he is big, our pedi says that he is not "fat" very very muscular..Those people just sound dumb..you never gripe at a pregnant woman about weight

[Djan2011]

I don't really know much about the iron but I can understand about them saying things about your weight gain. At my last app the nurse said a gained too much the month before and I needed to start really watching my weight. I did gain about 20 lbs at 22w but I was " underweight" when I got pregnant and am still small most people, even the other nurses/staff didn't believe me when said how far along I was.  And if at 28w you've only gained 13 I can't understand how anyone would say that's too much. ridiculous

[Momo1409]

I'm anemic. But I'm not pregnant so idk how it works when u are. I didn't know I was till I turn 17. I tried supplement but it never went up until after I stopped them.

Sorry I wish I could help. Supplements made me sick so I gave up on caring that I was.

Lol. Its a little more important to u tho so I'd ask ur doc.

[smjmekg]

Looking for more iron advice...tempted to call the dr and ask about it...not sure if I will or not. I need more energy, and for this dizzy/exhausted/anxiety cr@p to go AWAY!

[ammanda]

I hate WIC as well, I just deal with it cause I really need the free formula, I dont need the bread or juice or anything else they put on there, but i do need the formula.  it bites but you gotta do what you gotta do.. yea i think it was dumb of her to ask how much U watch tv.. what an idiot

[Clysta]

When I was anemic, it took a month for my levels to get to where they should be. My doctor said it varies with different people though.

[smjmekg]

LOL, went off on a little ramble there...I meant to add...

If anyone has any info on the iron GREATLY appreciated!!!

[smjmekg]

I didn't really need it after Elijah was no longer on formula, but used it anyways...milk in Korea was like almost $4 for a HALF GALLON. BUT that's cause it was imported.

NOW though, I NEED it. Mostly for the milk, but I'll take the rest too! See I'm one of those people that if you can get government assistance and actually USE IT and NEED it then get it. Don't pass up a free opportunity. What bugs me is the people that use and abuse.

Anyways, I'm not worried about our weights, I just can't believe she said that Elijah weighs too much.

OH!!! Forgot to add, she asked how much tv Elijah watches, which is totally understandable because they are there to educate mothers and probably want you to let your kid learn instead of being a couch potato, BUT she asked ME how much tv *I* watch...WTF? I'm a 24 year old adult...I don't need to be told how much tv to watch/not watch, and I certainly don't need her to ask how much I watch. I felt like I was being drilled in there today, if it weren't for me seriously needing it, I wouldn't have it!

[Ashelen]

I'm just gonna leave it at WIC is awful. We went to WIC for awhile shortly after Kahlan was born and I swore never again. it wasn't worth it. We can afford to eat without their help and I will never again stand in line with someone who says "I smacked her the other day and she still wouldn't shut up" talking about a newborn.

I understand needing it, trust me we used to need it for the help they gave with formula once my supply dried up with Kahlan, but I hate the program with a passion...it seems royally pointless. I get why they do it the way they do, but it seems a bit medieval compared to the needs of modern moms. And,seriously? Elijah and your weight are BOTH fine.

[connorethansmom]

I've never been to WIC.  By the sound of it, I never want to go though...My daughter just turned two and is 24 pounds, my son is 4 and is 37 pounds.  We always get your kids are too skinny from the nurses at our doctor's office, but our doctor isn't concerned.  As long as they are on their own growth chart, that is what matters.  

I can't help with the iron, I have been borderline anemic, most of the last 5 years as I have been pregnant (now on my third).  They've never put me on iron before.  We'll see what they say at my 28 week appointment with this blood test though.

I am 28 weeks today and lost 10 pounds...then gained that back, plus another 14 (I think?).  I wouldn't worry.  With my other two, I was about the same place I am now and I gained 28 pounds with each of them.  So I think you are right about where you should be.

[julianovak]

Consistancy is the most important thing in any childs growth.... I mean if he was 20 lbs at one and ballooned up then that signals a problem, but if he only gained a few lbs the second yr then thats normal.... They love to lecture.

[Grandmatobe]

My daughter goes through this with WIC all of the time.  Her son is almost 2, but very small and she gets lectured every visit about how "small" he is.  It doesn't matter that the doctor says he is on the same curve that he has always been (just on the low side, but consistent).  It think they must have some average chart and they yell at anyone that doesn't fit within those numbers.  Geesh!